Switzerland

About the flag

That’s Switzerland. Its distinctive white cross on red—and the rare square shape—marks the Swiss Confederation; it’s one of only two square national flags (the other is Vatican City). The cross dates to the Old Swiss Confederacy and symbolizes unity and faith; the red is linked to the founding canton of Schwyz. Memory tip: think “Swiss cross.” You see it on Swiss Army knives and first-aid signs. The Red Cross emblem is the Swiss flag with colors inverted, honoring its Geneva roots and founder Henri Dunant. By contrast, Finland has a blue Nordic cross on white, Albania features a black double-headed eagle on red, and the Czech flag has a blue triangle with white-over-red stripes.